Manual:Infantry Manual:Equipment:Indiv Equip

4.08.1 Field Tools
U179 Entrenching Tool The SFMC continues this tradition with its own version called the Entrenching Tool, or E-Tool. The difference in terminology comes from the fact that the E-Tool incorporates numerous other tools along with the tradition-al shovel. The 165 x 210-millimeter shovel head has a piercing tip with razor sharp edges. One edge of the shovel’s scoop body has a serrated edge useful for sawing, and the other edge has a concave profile that can be used for chopping. Opposite the shovel head is a 165-millimeter pick head with a triangular point specifically designed to break up hardened materials.

The entire tool can fold down into a package that is 241 x 215 millimeters. Because of this ability the pick head and shovel can be used independently or together, although only one can be used at a time when fold-ed out at the top of the handle. The handle itself also has multiple positions as it can be either a straight han-dle or folded out with a triangular grip end.

U206 Tactical Multi-Tool No matter how many gadgets or gizmos the average marine has, nothing will ever replace having a screwdriver or small knife around just in case. This tool folds into a small, easy to carry package that can be placed nearly anywhere on a marine’s body. With it a marine can get through and around nearly any problem that would require a low-tech solution.

Its 11.5 centimeter / 212-gram size contains nineteen different tools in a folding body. Most tools can be used independently of the others, although size does dictate that many are combined; but such combinations donot hinder operations of the individual tools. The tools are as follows:

4.08.2 Knives
U201 Machete The design of this tool hasn’t changed very much over the centuries, and it has become common for it to have been passed from one generation of marine to another, usually from parent to child. Because of this tra-dition the sentimental value of the machete encouraged many to carry it with them everywhere, even when there was no legitimate use for it. That is until the Second Klingon War and the Dominion War that followed immediately afterward. Those who carried a machete found it incredibly useful in melee combat because of its longer reach and better slashing ability than any of the knives that were usually carried by marines. This led to many marines, and even entire units, carrying the machete as part of their standard gear throughout the war.

U279 Boot Knife The boot knife is a rather unusual addition to the official weaponry of the SFMC as it was never intended to be used. It is in essence the absolute last resort weapon of any marine. The knife measures 120 millimeters

long with a 64-millimeter blade making it small enough to fit on a boot. What also makes it unique is that it is perfectly balanced and designed to be thrown. With a double razor edge and piercing tip, it can help make sure that the marine comes home alive in any situation. The handle has also been designed so that it can be attached to a pole and therefore become a spear.

U299 Bayonet Even in the 24th century, there still exists a need to attach a fixed blade to a shoulder weapon. For this pur-pose, all infantrymen are issued a purpose-built blade that can attach to their weapon. The U299 is a 326 millimeter / 413-gram knife designed specifically to cut and punch through humanoids & light armor. To increase its damage potential, the back of the blade is a serrated saw blade. Similar to the U266, one side of the handle has a magnetic surface that allows the bayonet to attach to an SFMC phaser, EMPW or caseless rifles.

U374 Survival Knife The one piece of equipment that is guaranteed to be with every marine in a combat situation, from aerospace pilots to infantryman, is the survival knife. The complete system, knife, and scabbard, weighs only 400 grams and wraps a lot of survival potential into a single package. The blade is 121 millimeters long and with the handle only 254 millimeters. The knife is weighted heavily towards the handle to give greater control of the blade and provide stability for the secondary features found on the handle. The hilt has two small holes which allow for the knife to be tied to a pole and, so tied, become a spear.

U468 Tomahawk Throughout history the axe has been the epitome of a utilitarian weapon. It can be used to chop wood or cleave shields. The tomahawk is based on an ancient tool used by the Native American tribes throughout his-tory. In the SFMC the tomahawk enjoys continued popularity due to its utility.

At 391 millimeters long the tomahawk has two fixed heads, an axe and pick. The axe head has an upswept blade and triangular pick head has a piercing tip with two razor edges. The tomahawk is intended to be used as a tool but with impressive self-defense capabilities.

U599 Tactical Entry Tool Originally designed to be used by damage control crews and civilian fire/rescue agencies, this tool has quickly found a place in the law enforcement and military environments. At 610 millimeters long it combines three different tools designed to breach into structures quickly and efficiently. One end has a claw fork; the other end has a square head with two flat sides, an adze, and a tapered pick.